How to Avoid Forced Labour in your Supply Chain
A must for many companies in the UK with new requirements in the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and for businesses all over the world seeking to ensure they trade ethically and protect their brand reputation.
A Stop Slavery Today campaign running 8 – 12 February 2016
A must for many companies in the UK with new requirements in the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and for businesses all over the world seeking to ensure they trade ethically and protect their brand reputation.
#StopSlaveryToday
1. Document your supply chain. It's not enough to know who's supplying you with a product or component. You also need to know who's supplying them, ideally at least two levels up the chain.
2. Assess the risk of forced labour. Forced labour is most common but not exclusive in south Asia, China and central Africa. The more deeply your company is deployed in those regions, the higher the likelihood of forced labour in your supply chain.
3. Tighten up your contracts. If you deem there's risk, amend your contracts with your suppliers to have large financial penalties if they fail to disclose suppliers or use suppliers who are found to be using forced labour.
4. Audit your supply chain. If at all possible, make a personal inspection of your supply chain or hire a specialist to do so. It's essential to flush out the problems yourself rather than carry out damage control after it has become public knowledge.
5. Move your supply chain. If you discover or even suspect there's forced labour in your supply chain, your #1 priority must be to find another source for your product. This might increase your costs in the short term, but it will be well worth it in the long run.